Intraoral functional device for relieving obstructive sleep apnea syndrom, snoring and/or other airway disorders

Abstract

An intraoral device (1) includes upper cooperating elements (2) adapted to cooperate with the upper jaw (4) and lower cooperating elements (3) adapted to cooperate with the lower jaw (5); a bracket (19) fixed in the cooperating elements (2,3), the bracket (19) supports a target (18) aiming at inducing mandibular advancement and attracting the tip of the tongue; the target (18) being centered, in a transverse plane, with regard to the cooperating elements (2,3). The device (1) further includes stimulating elements (17) for stimulation of the tongue muscles, preferably the genioglossus, involving reflex exploration of the stimulating elements (17) by the tongue. The device (1) may be used for relieving obstructive sleep apnea syndrome, snoring and/or other airway disorders.

The invention claimed is: 
     
       1. An intraoral device to be inserted in the mouth of an animal or a human, comprising:
 an upper cooperating element adapted to cooperate with the upper jaw; 
 a lower cooperating element adapted to cooperate with the lower jaw; 
 a bracket fixed in the cooperating means; and 
 a target carried by the bracket; 
 
       wherein the upper and lower cooperating elements are connected and 
       wherein:
 said bracket has an overall U-shape; 
 said target is spherical such that the center of the target is configured to be centered longitudinally in a central part of the bracket and the target is configured to be located in the lingual area of the lower incisor mucosa, 
 said target has at least one degree of freedom relative to the bracket, 
 said target is a stimulating element inducing reflex mandibular advancement, said mandibular advancement being held by muscles, and 
 said target attracting a tongue inducing mobilization of protractor muscles of the tongue. 
 
     
     
       2. The intraoral device according to  claim 1 , wherein said target
 is located from 0.1 to 30 millimeters behind a front end of the device; 
 is located in the inferior extension of the lower cooperating element; and 
 is centered, in a transverse plane, with regard to the upper and lower cooperating elements. 
 
     
     
       3. The intraoral device according to  claim 2 , wherein said stimulating element stimulates protractor tongue muscles, or genioglossus, and involves reflex exploration by a tongue of said stimulating element. 
     
     
       4. The intraoral device according to  claim 1 , wherein said upper and lower cooperating elements are fixed one relative to the other. 
     
     
       5. The intraoral device according to  claim 1 , wherein said upper cooperating element comprises a fixing element to the upper jaw; said fixing element comprising at least one clasp, or an Adam's clasp or a ball end clasp. 
     
     
       6. The intraoral device according to  claim 1 , wherein extremities of two arms of the U-shaped bracket are embedded in the cooperating elements. 
     
     
       7. The intraoral device according to  claim 1 , wherein said bracket comprises an obstacle on each side of the target, in such a way that said target remains centered in the bracket. 
     
     
       8. The intraoral device according to  claim 1 , wherein said target, said upper cooperating element and/or said element cooperating means are made of a biocompatible, non-allergenic substance, or a polymer or a resin. 
     
     
       9. The intraoral device according to  claim 1 , wherein said target is able to rotate around at least one axis. 
     
     
       10. The intraoral device according to  claim 1 , wherein said target comprises a metallic tube through which the bracket passes. 
     
     
       11. The intraoral device according to  claim 1 , wherein said target comprises an active agent. 
     
     
       12. A method for treating, preventing and/or correcting obstructive sleep apnea syndrome, snoring and/or other airway disorders comprising insertion in the mouth of a subject in need thereof of an intraoral device;
 said mouth having an upper and a lower jaw, said device comprising: 
 an upper cooperating element adapted to cooperate with the upper jaw; 
 a lower cooperating element adapted to cooperate with the lower jaw; 
 a bracket fixed in the cooperating elements; and 
 a target carried by the bracket; 
 
       wherein the upper and lower cooperating elements are connected and 
       wherein:
 said bracket has an overall U-shape; 
 said target is spherical such that the center of the target is configured to be centered longitudinally in a central part of the bracket and the target is configured to be located in the lingual area of the lower incisor mucosa, 
 said target has at least one degree of freedom relative to the bracket, and 
 said target is a stimulating element inducing reflex mandibular advancement, said mandibular advancement being held by muscles, and attracting a tongue inducing mobilization of protractor muscles of the tongue. 
 
     
     
       13. The method according to  claim 12 , wherein said subject is a child. 
     
     
       14. An intraoral device to be inserted in the mouth of an animal or a human, comprising:
 an upper cooperator adapted to cooperate with an upper jaw, the upper cooperator being a first tray adapted to fit the teeth; 
 a lower cooperator adapted to cooperate with a lower jaw, the lower cooperator being connected to the upper cooperator, the lower cooperator being a second tray or a ramp adapted to fit the teeth; 
 a bracket fixed in the cooperators; and 
 a target carried by the bracket; 
 
       wherein:
 said bracket has an overall U-shape; 
 said target is spherical such that the center of the target is configured to be centered longitudinally in a central part of the bracket and the target is configured to be located in the lingual area of the lower incisor mucosa, —said target has at least one degree of freedom relative to the bracket, and 
 said target is a stimulating element inducing reflex mandibular advancement, said mandibular advancement being held by muscles, and attracting a tongue inducing mobilization of protractor muscles of the tongue. 
 
     
     
       15. The intraoral device according to  claim 14 , wherein said target
 is located from 0.1 to 30 millimeters behind a front end of the device; 
 is located in the inferior extension of the lower cooperator; and 
 is centered, in a transverse plane, with regard to the upper and lower cooperators. 
 
     
     
       16. The intraoral device according to  claim 14 , wherein said stimulator stimulates protractor tongue muscles, or the genioglossus, and involves reflex exploration by a tongue of said stimulator. 
     
     
       17. The intraoral device according to  claim 14 , wherein said upper and lower cooperators are fixed one relative to the other. 
     
     
       18. The intraoral device according to  claim 14 , wherein said upper cooperator fixes to the upper jaw by at least one clasp, or an Adam's clasp or a ball end clasp.